The Asheville citizen. [volume] (Asheville, N.C.) 1885-1889, 1887-10-28

nine o'clock the moving multitude
was so great that it was plainly evi-
dent that Richmond's population
for the day was as large and proba-
bly, larger than on any previous oc-
casion. At an early hour the sound
of martial music was heard in every
direction, and the military, mounted
and on foot, could be seen moving
to their various positions, prepara-
tory to the formation of the process
sion Mounted marshals and cou-
riers dashed hither and thither di-
recting the movements of the troops
and arranging the line of march.
Before ten o'clock the rain had
temporarily ceased, but the clouds
remained unbroken and threaten
ing. The people however, seemed
not to notice this but had appar-
emily made up their minds to carry
out the programme of the day in full
detail rain or shine. The visiting
military consisted of two corps Of
cadets, one from the Virginia mills
tary institute and the other from
the Blacksburg agricultural and
mechanical college, two regiments
of Virginia infantry, three compa-
MES cavalry, four companies artil-
elery; also two companies o infantry
from North Carolina and one from
Maryland. Besid these the e are
several camps of confederate veter-
ans from different parts of the
State, and six hundred veterans of
the MARYLAND line. The latter ar
rived here this morning, and their
appearance on the streets with the
Marine band Of Washington at the
head Of the line, created considera>
bic interest, and they were every
where greeted with enthusiasm.
-Four professors and fifty-five stuo
dents arrived this morning from
Washington and Lee University.
Cen. r. E. Lee was at the time OF
his death president of the institu-
ton and was succeeded by his son
Gen. G. w. Gusts Lee, who is how
president. Owing to the recent ill
ness of the latter ne was unable to
participate in to-day's ceremonies,
but his brother, Gen. W. H. F.
(properly known as "Rooney") Lee,
and Captain Robt. e. Lee are here.
OtherStwo immediate members of
the family are two daughters who
are at present in Europe.
AT a few minutes before eleven
o'clock everything being in readi-
ness the procession began to move
at the head Of the line. After de-
tachments of mounted police,
came the chief marshal Of day,
Gen. Wade Hampton, riding side
by side with Gov. Fitzhugh Lee,
both superbiy mounted. Then fol-.
lowed the Governors staff in bril-
liant uniform and assisGl.t mar
shals. Next in successive order
came the Virginiau Confederate vets
eran camps, veterans OF The Mary
land line, volunteer infantry of VirN
ginia ana North Carolina, artillery,
and then all the various civic organ
izations embracing the grand lodge
of Virginia Masons, two commands
er;e5 Of Knights Templar, Blue
Lodge Of Masons, Druids, Elks, Jun
ior order of American mechanics,
odd fellows. and other societies i'm
regalia. The whole made such
display as has never before been
seen in Richmond. Dense crowds
packed the sidewalks along the
whole Iuute of march, and the en>
thus'3su Of the p0pulace was given
VENT to in almost incessant cheers to
be but increased a. some favorite or
famed organizt,i"" passed by.
About the li.mt the head Of the
proc sion re- h..i the western cor
p0ratc limits near the monument
grounds ii steady drizzle commenced
again and continued so that the pro.
gramme was cut short by post
ponement of the reading of the
poem and the delivery of the ora
ton. The corner stone, however,
was laid with all impressive Masonic
ceremonies. The Grafton will be
delivered and the poem read this
evening in the hall of the House of
Delegates. Notwithstanding the
disagreeabie weather and muddy
condition OF the grounds and viein-
ity the vast field was almost cov-
cred with people, the multitude
being estimated at from fifteen to
twenty thousand.